Private vessels & yachts

Sail to Cuba

A private-vessel voyage needs more than a traveler authorization. For U.S.-linked vessels, exporting the boat to Cuba requires a separate U.S. Department of Commerce (BIS/EAR) authorization — an OFAC travel category is not, by itself, approval for the voyage. CubaAtlas maps every layer and points you to the right authority.

CubaAtlas never presents “OFAC category selected = boat trip approved.” Vessel voyages are legally sensitive — obtain professional advice.
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Maritime formalitiesCuban ports

Sailing to Cuba — FAQ

Do you need a permit to sail to Cuba?
For a U.S.-linked vessel there are two layers. Your travel must fit an authorized OFAC category, and exporting the boat itself to Cuba needs a separate U.S. Commerce Department (BIS/EAR) authorization; U.S. skippers also file the Coast Guard 'permit to enter Cuban territorial seas' (Form 3300) before departing. An OFAC category alone is not approval for the voyage — obtain professional advice.
Where do private boats clear into Cuba?
Marina Hemingway, about nine miles west of Havana, is the main port of entry for yachts, and Cuba has several other official entry marinas along the coast (including Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba and Varadero). Clear in only at an authorized port of entry — see the Cuban ports directory.
How do you contact the marina on arrival?
Give advance notice and hail the port captain on VHF (commonly channel 77) as you approach; the marina then coordinates the clearance visit. Confirm the current hailing channel and arrival procedure with the marina before you sail.
What happens during Cuban clearance, and how long does it take?
Clearance runs in sequence — health/quarantine first, then immigration, customs, agriculture and the Guarda Frontera (border guard). With paperwork in order it is usually completed in a few hours. Firearms aboard change the process, so declare everything.
What documents do you need to sail to Cuba?
Valid passports for everyone aboard, the vessel's registration and documentation, proof of your travel authorization, and insurance. Requirements change — build a personalized vessel roadmap below and confirm against the official sources.